Wednesday, 24 December 2014

Its nearing years end and Christmas Eve is the day of the year where my annual interview with Orcs in the Webbe is published as the end of a month of excellent free articles. Articles written by dedicated wargamers and hobbyists, creators, game designers and more. I have had a couple of scenarios in this years advent as is my due as the man behind Flintloque. You can see these scenarios in the listing of days for Advent 2014 on Orcs in the Webbe.

My annual interview with Craig Andrews takes a look at the year now done and forward a year to this point in the coming orbit around the sun. It has grown over a decade in size and also in scope and this year topping the scales at over four thousand words it looks at the following. Alternative Armies goals for 2015 and the development of the Von Rotte Legion and more. 15mm.co.uk moving into more 15mm fantasy in a big way and working with Loud Ninja Games. The Ion Age and its doubling in size, the Planetary Militia, the Zin and its ambition to do something with 15mm science fiction that no other brand ever has. There is a lot more than that to read of course including what I do in my spare time and news on Bedlum as well. Enjoy the read.

For you see I am Flintloque but I am also the fellow who runs 15mm.co.uk and created the rapidly evolving The Ion Age too. There may be others like me out there in the world of miniature wargaming who have so many hats...but not many. If you want to chat with me then drop us an email and ask your wargaming questions. I would love to hear from you all.

From everyone here at Alternative Armies we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hogmanay too!

Friday, 19 December 2014

Welcome to the initial in what I like to call the 'first look' series of posts for Flintloque and Slaughterloo. Its not how we used to show off new miniatures. We used to wait until they were released before showing them but the world moves on and it now the done thing to show miniatures before release and so here we are. First look will show you either the 'greens' (original sculpts) by the designer or the first 'master tins' made of them. Raw and without being painted or based with high resolution images so you can see them as they are and then upon release as they can be in our official uniforms for that unit in the games of Flintloque and Slaughterloo.

So what is first up in first look....
52517 Von Rotte Command Set

This a set of 28mm white metal and resin miniatures full of character. Officers both foot and mounted used to command your Von Rotte or any other Finklestein Dwarves in your forces. Four officers on foot suitable for command of line infantry, elite infantry, light infantry or artillery. In keeping with the Slaughterloo officer types we have an Aggressive, a Dastardly, a Heroic and a Cowardly officer. In the image here these are from the left the Heroic officer in tricorne with bier stein, a Cowardly officer with pocket watch open a monocle and a worried expression. Next a bare headed Dastardly officer with a telescope and tricorne under his arm. Lastly the Aggressive officer charging head long with a sword raised and beard a flowing. There are also two mounted officers on our newly made to resin Pummilig Pigs the favourite mount of Valon Dwarves. A lesser and greater officer suitable for commanding your division, your section or as aide de camps. One is bare headed with a war hammer raised while the other sports a tricorne and a raised pistol. This set has a place in a Dwarf player's collection alongside the existing ones 52506 Krautian Dwarf Command Set and the 52507 Finklestein Dwarf Command Set giving armies the personality officers they want.

This set will form our three days of festivemass offer meaning that 52517 Von Rotte Command Set will appear on our website on our new Von Rotte Legion page for three days only at 20% off its release price (14.40GBP rather than 18.00GBP). The actual release date is 8th January 2015 which is when the painted set along with game statistics for the code will online but you can save 20% by ordering on the 24th , 25th or 26th December 2014. We will ship your set out to you, plus anything else you order, before the official release in the new year and you will have it before anyone else globally.

A great offer and a fantastic start to the Von Rotte Legion expansion. Mark your calendars and when the madness of Christmas Day is over for you take a moment for yourself and pick up a brilliant set of Napoleonique Dwarves created by our in house art, design and sculpting team headed by Sam Croes. The next Von Rotte code will be 'first looked' in January 2015... I can already smell the black powder smoke.

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Today is the 18th of December and that means that the rip roaring Orcs in the Webbe advent calendar has reached the second day of my own contribution to its twenty four articles at one a day for the festive month of December. This contribution is a Flintloque scenario written by myself in celebration of Craig Andrew's birthday and his love of all things Dracci. I present Lady Lightening and the Dracci!

So what is the scenario. Here is the introductory strap line from Orcs in the Webbe:

Atop a mountain in Central Urop the plot of the Dracci must be stopped by some Dwarves who have no idea what could occur if a female captive is given up to ancient magickes...

If that sounds appealing then please click through HERE to read the full memorial scenario and also my own designers notes at the end about the origins of the tale. Enjoy! Its a great scenario for two players or solo play. The captive lady in the scenario was provided by the TOR1 Whipping Beam set while the Dwarves are Von Rotte Line.

There is one more article from me to go on the OITW Advent and its the annual Alternative Armies interview...will I survive against all of the probing questions? What will you all learn about 2015? Roll on the 24th to find out.

Thursday, 11 December 2014

The Emperor of the Ferach Empire. Mordred son of Morgana and holder of the Power Ring. Tyrant to half the world and instigator of the Napoleonique Wars of Valon! As part of our December 2014 schedule Alternative Armies agreed to create some Flintloque statistics for a fan of Flintloque to write a scenario for the Orcs in the Webbe Advent Calendar. We were happy to do so and the results are now in our dropbox folder online for free download as a PDF. This insert contains some background, rules for Flintloque, rules for Slaughterloo, uniform details and more along with a picture.

Click HERE for the miniature or click HERE to download the PDF for free from our dropbox account.

The free Flintloque scenario 'The Emperor in Peril' written by Bob Minadeo is online at Orcs in the Webbe and you can read it by clicking HERE.

So add the Tyrant Mordred to your games of Flintloque but be warned, like Captain Sharke, he is one of the most powerful characters in the game and he always has a guard with him of veterans. But hey if you are going to try and kill an Emperor it's not going to be easy is it.

Wednesday, 10 December 2014

There have been mutterings roaming around Alternative Armies in the past few weeks that something big was brewing for Flintloque and Slaughterloo. Perhaps it was from cryptic emails or from the release of our first new Dwarf miniature in several years (52014 Heinz DerMead) that gave fuel to the fire but in any case the time is now here to tell you all what we have been working on. Our big plan for the first part of 2015 for Flintloque and Slaughterloo is....The Von Rotte Legion!

In the aftermath of the Severed Ears War the legions of the Von Rotte were exiled from Krautia along with their illustrious leader the Baron Frederick the Ales Von Rotte. Having tangled just once too often with Artur the ruler of Krautia the Baron had little choice but to throw in his lot with the Elves of Armorica. The newly formed Confederation of Finklestein, a loosely tied group of small Dwarven states, welcomed the Von Rotte legions with open arms. Finely drilled infantry, cavalry and gunners were thin on the ground and a general as talented as the Baron was rare indeed. Swearing an oath of fealty to the Elvish Emperor Mordred the Baron was given command not only of his own soldiers but also some of those belonging to the Emperor in his wars against Krautia and Ostaria.
A veteran in the truest sense the Baron has been at war since the Darke Age and is a master of battle. He excels in the leading of grenadiers and fusiliers and his troops are rarely routed, in fact it was in the Severed Ears War only the lack of sufficient soldiers that defeated the Baron. Alongside the troops of the Ferach Empire the Baron Von Rotte is now a very old Dwarf but he is still an extremely skilled tactician and loved by those troops who fight under him. Atop his pummilig pig ‘Bristle’ he serves up the mead of victory to Mordred.
The Dwarf legions of the Red Baron are among the most experienced troops in Urop and it shows. Rushed from region to region, the regiments of foot along with the famous grenadiers and the cavalry take on foes that lesser troops would shy away from. The legions are an all arms force which also includes artillery.

Since the 1990's the Von Rotte Legion has held the interest of many wargamers who play Flintloque. An enigmatic and self contained army over seen by a commander of extreme talent that aligned itself with one side and then the other. Beginning in the 1990's with a unit code still in production and popular 52503 Von Rotte Grenadiers they have featured in a great many Dwarf armies since. With the release of the Flintloque game book 5028 Bier & Bones the information on the Von Rotte was expanded with the eventual aim of where we are now; a new army in the making. A new page on the Alternative Armies website will now host all of the Von Rotte codes and information links as we go along. The eventual aim by the spring of next year is a complete force.

We will be following up this posting with a lot more information across the rest of this month before the end of the year. This will include a PDF of the Von Rotte Legion for use in Flintloque and Slaughterloo along with an outline of the total number of new miniatures that are coming by their unit codes. Building towards the whole legion and a DAP (Divisional Army Pack) with our normal savings. Alternative Armies prides itself on its legacy of high quality white metal miniatures and as such we plan that the Von Rotte Dwarves will be cast in white metal but we are planning on using resin for the cavalry mounts and limber animals. We will also have a unique offer across the three days of festivemass that being Xmas Eve, Xmas Day and Boxing Day for you to get the first part of the new Von Rotte Legion...well first.

Its going to be a big year for Flintloque once more in 2015. More information soon.

Monday, 8 December 2014

Until the twenty fourth of December 2014 Alternative Armies has a set of special offers on our website and among these are two excellent half price or 50% off codes that will appeal to a lot of wargamers.

If you play any fantasy 25mm or 28mm scale system you will be glad of a heat amid this winter chill with our white metal roaring camp fire. A one piece miniature with the lick of flames atop piled wood. Great for scenics or for diorama or even the bases of larger creatures plus of course dungeon quest too. Code 54502G is just 1.00GBP!

Heinz DerMead and his Ale!

Our brand new festive themed Dwarf is also half price during this offer period. A master brewer betrayed by his own people Heinz Dermead is a lovely miniature that suits a lot of 25mm or 28mm wargame systems. A character fit to lead or accompany your Dwarves into battle. Code 52014 is just 1.00GBP.

Friday, 5 December 2014

Another release for the finest black powder fantasy range in the world for use with Flintloque and Slaughterloo. Alternative Armies is proud to present to you the newest addition to the Trolkin of Copendaz range following up on the Lergo Jagers last month month we have the Lergo Artillery! Go HERE or read on for more information. We are releasing more miniatures right through the festive period until a special offer on Xmas Eve!

57818 Lergo Artillery Crew

This unit pack contains six one piece 28mm white metal miniatures and two grey tone resin 28mm limber beasts with separate white metal horns for a total of eight miniatures. This is a Trolkin artillery crew composed of an Officer (arms folded), Match (lit and pointing), Rammer (kneeling and pointing), Sponger (sponge and bucket), Ball (with cannon ball) and Trailspike (with wooden pole). Two identical Muskox's in limber harness suitable for pulling any field gun. Each Trolkin is larger and bulkier than an Elf and stands 30mm to eye level while a Muskox is 40mm long. This code can also be purchased pro-painted and based at an excellent price. Pack price 26.00GBP. Go HERE.

LERGO ARTILLERIE

The Trolkin are unlike any other race on Valon they are still somewhat Magicke and their differing skin colours (from grey to red and yellow too) show this along with their distinct fashion sense. Trolkin soldiers always seem to wear uniforms that are too small for them despite their outfitter the ‘Marske’ trading company delivering as many as they need. Lergo refers to the way their troops are raised, a unique modular system that choosing the Trolkin by standard height and different colours to make up formations that can be re-purposed again and again. The Trolkin gunners organise themselves into the formations that the Armorican Elves use and make use typically of medium weight cannon. All Trolkin serving the guns are designated as Gunners. The gunners are armed with their normal artillery implements with officers armed with a hidden pistol too. The Trolkin Artillery uniform consists of a dark blue tunic, white breeches, a black shako and black shoes. Facing colours (cuffs, collars, etc.) are green, trimmed in yellow. Equipment is black and brown, with equipment straps being of white leather.

There is a full free booklet on the Trolka and Trolkin which you can download as a PDF from us by clicking HERE. This booklet contains a full army list along with Flintloque rules, Slaughterloo rules, background, fiction, tales, pictures and much, much more in its eighteen pages. Well worth a read!

The natural place for the Trolkin is in colder climes so it makes sense that the majority of their soldiers are in the Witchlands fighting against the Undead. You can learn more about this campaign in 5026 Flintloque 3rd Edition Death in the Snow game book. Trolka and Trolkin enjoy some advantages in battling against Zombies and Skeletons and indeed their physical size and resilience stands them in good stead against Vampyres too. Click HERE to visit the website to read more. These new Trolkin miniatures were sculpted by Rob Alderman who also designed the other Trolkin codes as well as other packs in the World of Valon range.

Today is the 5th of December and that means that the rip roaring Orcs in the Webbe advent calendar has reached the day of my own contibution to its twenty four articles at one a day for the festive month of December. This contribution is a Flintloque scenario written by myself with assistance from Mark Lesney as a memorial to two great characters in the game world who have sadly died in the real world this year.

Yesterday I placed on the Alternative Armies blog a free PDF of statistics for both of these famous characters linked to their miniature packs. You can find these by clicking on their names here: Uncle Rogipoos and Bombardier Bedsforc. If you wish to play the scenario you will need these free inserts.

So what is the scenario. Here is the introductory strap line from Orcs in the Webbe:

Uncle
Rogipoos and Bombardier Bedsforc face the evil Sproutoids and the
roving Thumber Wumber Trees as they try to close the Vortex that wants
to send them to the next world...

If that sounds appealing then please click through HERE to read the full memorial scenario and also my own designers notes at the end about the origins of the tale. Enjoy! Its a great scenario for two players or solo play. The Trees in the scenario were represented by our own VNT5 Demonic Tree.

Today should be a day of celebration owing to the publication of this scenario which I spent a few days with and diced out the testing too but its not. I actually feel rather sad....

Thursday, 4 December 2014

In the run up to the 5th of December 2014 when a scenario featuring everyone's favourite Uncle will appear on the Orcs in the Webbe advent calendar we present to you the free two page PDF insert for the character miniature set VLE10 Uncle Rogipoos. The set contains Rogipoos, Nursie and Jose the Armadillo. This insert contains some background, rules for Flintloque, rules for Slaughterloo, uniform details and more along with pictures of all three.

Click HERE for the miniature set or click HERE to download the PDF for free from our dropbox account.

A great resource for Flintloque and Slaughterloo fans written by myself with some indirect assistance from the late Roger Willcox inspiration for the miniature set and creator of Uncle Rogipoos. All of us here at Alternative Armies miss him greatly.

In the run up to the 5th of December 2014 when a scenario featuring The Bombardier will appear on the Orcs in the Webbe advent calendar we present to you the free one page PDF insert for the character miniature VLE12 Villiam Beresforc 'the Bombardier'. This insert contains some background, rules for Flintloque, rules for Slaughterloo, uniform details and more along with pictures.

Click HERE for the miniature or click HERE to download the PDF for free from our dropbox account.

A great little resource for Flintloque and Slaughterloo fans written by myself with some indirect assistance from Tony Harwood and the late Rik Mayall too. Enjoy!

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

“If you go down to the woods today you better go with some allies. Its no picnic in the Darkling woods my fellows. Centuries ago a wicked mage lived in those woods the kind of magic wielder who would turn you to stone just for looking in his direction. A really nasty piece of work that got his powers from the planes of unreality. But he met a good end at sword tip delivered by a band of mercenaries that were hired for the job. The rub though is that upon his end the mage detonated in a rush of rainbow magic that spread out through the forest. By the time those hired swords were making for the edges of the woods there were dozens of demonically possessed trees chasing them. Yes, trees with evil spirits can move and move fast. Grabbing at you with long sharp wooden fingers and chewing you with bark fused teeth. If your going down to to the woods today...leave me out of it.”

This code contains one 25mm/28mm white metal monster approx 40mm in height which is made up of three pieces (body, left arm, right arm). Great quality, great choice and great value too. Go HERE.

Poses in this code are as follows:

VNT5-01: Demonic Tree of possessed wood

Scale Shot with DH5 Dwarf (22mm tall) not included

These miniatures are not supplied with bases and are supplied unpainted. Select your choice from the drop down product menu. Choose from a pack or three packs with a 10% saving applied.

The Alternative Armies classic high fantasy range dates from the period of the early 1990's through to the end of that decade. Designed by leading names in the wargaming industry and highly successful in its day this range has been on hiatus. Alternative Armies, under the name 'Project Darkhelm' is dedicated to re-mastering, re-molding and re-releasing this entire range back onto the market. We will be doing this work at a measured pace and a weekly rate maintaining high quality and excellent pricing. During and beyond this process Project Darkhelm will see the range continue to be expanded in the mediums of white metal and high grade resin using top industry designers in new releases. Every pose in each pack is unique with no duplicates making them perfect for skirmish wargaming, roleplaying and unit building for any battle system.